Topic: Youth and Under 23 Thread

[iamrobk]

Liverpool team: Brad Jones, Jon Flanagan, Jack Robinson, Sebastian Coates, Andre Wisdom, Conor Coady, Raheem Sterling, Jonjo Shelvey, Nathan Eccleston, Krisztian Adorjan, Fabio Aurelio.

The reserves team. Very strong

Jeez, no wonder we won 4-0.  Aurelio, Flanagan, Robinson, Coates, Shelvey, and all the regulars.  Not bad.

Just saw the highlights.  What a goal by Sterling!  Wow.

[Dubai_Red]

Liverpool team: Brad Jones, Jon Flanagan, Jack Robinson, Sebastian Coates, Andre Wisdom, Conor Coady, Raheem Sterling, Jonjo Shelvey, Nathan Eccleston, Krisztian Adorjan, Fabio Aurelio.

The reserves team. Very strong

Couldn't agree more!

Wouldn't surprise me if at least 7 of them ended up playing for the first team at some stage!!

[iamrobk]

Couldn't agree more!

Wouldn't surprise me if at least 7 of them ended up playing for the first team at some stage!!

Well, Jones, Flanagan, Robinson, Coates, Shelvey, Eccleston, and Aurelio already have, leaving just Wisdom, Coady, Sterling, and Adorjan as the ones who haven't yet.

[El_Pistolero]

If anybody would be so kind to get the highlights uploaded...

[carl2782]

Well, Jones, Flanagan, Robinson, Coates, Shelvey, Eccleston, and Aurelio already have, leaving just Wisdom, Coady, Sterling, and Adorjan as the ones who haven't yet.

Uhh.. Whooshed?

[gazzathered]

You know the games over and they won right?

Yeah, I know, thought I'd past the team as I didn't see it in the thread.

[Chirpy Red]

So when will Teixeira play for the reserves? Also what's happening with Nacho in under 18's?

[cptrios]

Wow that's a ridiculous team. That back four could probably start for a lower-level PL team. Where did Aurelio play, LM?

[MBL?]

If that camera angle was any lower it would be under ground

So when will Teixeira play for the reserves? Also what's happening with Nacho in under 18's?

Teixeira didn't play because of a knock not sure about Nacho.

[jimmyjr86]

Nacho is just back from a shoulder injury so hopefully will be involved with the u18s soon.

Am glad the reserve team was strong and it looks like the kids fitted in well.

[nyrrard]

If anybody would be so kind to get the highlights uploaded...

[babraham]

Wow! Super strong team!

So...uh...anybody with the highlights? 

[Vork+The Knights of Good]

That is a ridiculously strong reserves side, so not a very surprising result. Good to see Raheem hit the back of the net. Hopefully that will give him a bit of confidence in front of goal and his finishing will take an upturn.

[Cpt_Reina]

That is a ridiculously strong reserves side, so not a very surprising result. Good to see Raheem hit the back of the net. Hopefully that will give him a bit of confidence in front of goal and his finishing will take an upturn.

Was a good goal too. And on his weaker foot.

Did well in the build up to the first to set Flanagan away and again to release Eccleston who got the assist for Shelvey's goal, another excellent finish.

[JustDan]

Wow, poor Norwich Reserves... sounds like half of what could be the Liverpool first team of the not too distant future.

[Juan Loco]

Hopefully this and the Wigan performance will put to bed the myth about Shelvey not trying when he drops a level.

[Midget]

Hopefully this and the Wigan performance will put to bed the myth about Shelvey not trying when he drops a level.

He is clearly above the reserve level in his development though. I'd like to see him feature more in the first team. He looked good against Villa when he got his chance. Do you think we should use him in the remaining next gen games? He should feature in our best U19 squad but that would mean replacing one of the lads who have played more regularly in the tournament.

[soberphobia]

He is clearly above the reserve level in his development though. I'd like to see him feature more in the first team. He looked good against Villa when he got his chance. Do you think we should use him in the remaining next gen games? He should feature in our best U19 squad but that would mean replacing one of the lads who have played more regularly in the tournament.

I think it depends on your mentality. For me the Next Gen is about developing youngsters not winning the tournament or seeing how far you can go in it. It is a development tool not a willy waving contest. I think Shelvey is above youth football now and in truth our first team midfield is not as strong as it has been in years past so i think he will get his chances there. Someone else will think different.

[Midget]

I think it depends on your mentality. For me the Next Gen is about developing youngsters not winning the tournament or seeing how far you can go in it. It is a development tool not a willy waving contest. I think Shelvey is above youth football now and in truth our first team midfield is not as strong as it has been in years past so i think he will get his chances there. Someone else will think different.

I agree that it's all about player development. People often forget that Shelvey is only 19 though. He has featured in the first team a lot but he isn't much older than some of the lads who have played in next gen for us. While I'm not sure if I'd play Shelvey in the remaining games I think playing against a side like Ajax/Barca would be a valuable experience for him as well.

[richmiller1]

I think it depends on your mentality. For me the Next Gen is about developing youngsters not winning the tournament or seeing how far you can go in it. It is a development tool not a willy waving contest.

Trouble is it is very difficult to develop players without giving them lots of minutes at a good standard of football. Nextgen provides just that but to get more than 6 games out of it it is essential to progress in the tournament. Had Spurs not pulled out our remaining games would have been the footballing equivalent of a dead rubber, ie not much better than reserve games now in terms of meaning and intensity. Instead these kids will now be playing in what i expect most will regard as the biggest games of their short careers against Barca or Ajax. Which outcome is better for development?

Until the FA pull their fingers out and sort out a proper reseve league progress in the nextgen is going to be pretty vital in the development of our big hopes. Got nought to do with 'willy waving', its about giving the likes of Sterling an extended platform on which to perform that matters to him, his team mates and the opposition.

[Mr Dilkington]

Just seen that Redmond scored again for Birmingham. Really good goal too. Let the ball come over his shoulder just right of the penalty spot and fired in a first time volley into the keepers right hand side.

I'll be really surprised if we don't go for either Redmond or Zaha. Maybe both?

[DanA]

haven't seen the match or highlights. Who were our best. I think it bodes well for Sterling if he still manages to stand out as a player with so many first team squad players on the pitch.

[gazzathered]

I for one forgot how young shelvey is, like to see him get more game time as I feel he has a lot to offer.

[Cpt_Reina]

I for one forgot how young shelvey is, like to see him get more game time as I feel he has a lot to offer.

Think a lot of people forget how young he is. Sometimes leads him to fly under the radar a little I think.

Going straight to Melwood probably played its part in that. But there was a reason he went there right from the off. He's probably, along with Sterling, the most naturally gifted youngster we have.

Even looking back at those vids of him at Charlton as a 16/17 year old he just looks so at home on the pitch. His attitude and mentality are often talked about, how he's got that arrogance that will stand him in good stead but he's an incredibly well rounded player really. Excellent touch, calmness, can play and see a pass and provides a real goal threat. The one thing he doesnt really have is physique, he's not got that burst of pace. But he seems smart enough to work around it. Lord knows there are plenty of quality midfielders out there who are a bit one paced.

People should be very excited about Shelvey. At £1.7m we absolutely robbed Charlton.

But like you say he needs games. Hopefully he'll start against Brighton in the cup.

[Hank Scorpio]

Agree with Cpt. that a lot of people forget just how young Shelvey is.  He is a very good player for his age.  Just to add on the physique thing, he will hopefully develop that over the next 2-3 years.  It's partly up to him to put in the work.  Lucas was a skinny 19 year old as well but he has bulked up some since then.  There are other examples too.

[Cpt_Reina]

Agree with Cpt. that a lot of people forget just how young Shelvey is.  He is a very good player for his age.  Just to add on the physique thing, he will hopefully develop that over the next 2-3 years.  It's partly up to him to put in the work.  Lucas was a skinny 19 year old as well but he has bulked up some since then.  There are other examples too.

I think he's pretty well set already to be honest. He's tall enough and seems to be able to mix it with the big boys no trouble.

Its more his pace, or lack thereof, and ability to get up and down the pitch that I was referring to. But like I said, that needn't be a problem. Not every midfielder in the world needs to be Yaya Toure or Steven Gerrard in that respect.

[Midget]

I think he's pretty well set already to be honest. He's tall enough and seems to be able to mix it with the big boys no trouble.

Its more his pace, or lack thereof, and ability to get up and down the pitch that I was referring to. But like I said, that needn't be a problem. Not every midfielder in the world needs to be Yaya Toure or Steven Gerrard in that respect.

I think his ability to get up and down the pitch is fine. He lacks pace more than mobility. In the games he has played this season (mainly vs Villa and Oldham) he has showed great willingness to break into the box and has a good timing in doing that. He even got to the ball before Gerrard to score his first goal in that Oldham game. Compared to someone like Adam he doesn't seem to be lacking much in mobility. I think Shelvey is one of the best midfielders we have in terms of breaking in to the opposition box at the right time.

[lamonti]

If anybody would be so kind to get the highlights uploaded...

I second this request, would be nice to see the guys get a good win and Sterling score again.

[scatman]

I like Shelvey a lot, i think he should be pushing Adam for a starting spot. Only thing I think he needs to stop doing is flashing that 3rd leg of his on twitter haha

[Cpt_Reina]

I think his ability to get up and down the pitch is fine. He lacks pace more than mobility. In the games he has played this season (mainly vs Villa and Oldham) he has showed great willingness to break into the box and has a good timing in doing that. He even got to the ball before Gerrard to score his first goal in that Oldham game. Compared to someone like Adam he doesn't seem to be lacking much in mobility. I think Shelvey is one of the best midfielders we have in terms of breaking in to the opposition box at the right time.

He gets forward alright, but getting back? Not so much.

Whether its just his willingness (we know he doesnt like defending) or that he lacks the engine to do both at this stage is up for debate. Personally I think its a mixture of both. I just dont think he's that naturally athletic. Im nitpicking though. It's not a problem for him really.

[Cpt_Reina]

@AMorgan94
adam morgan
Hahahaha just a abit of banter...


@Robbie9Fowler
robbie fowler
@AMorgan94 no plaster on the nose though

[babraham]

[babraham]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/7e5E54MxGJU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/7e5E54MxGJU</a>

Just saw the Morgan miss for the first time. Um..wow! Lol.

[Fontaine]

Could anyone tell me how many of Liverpool's next gen games we're live on LFCTV?

Another question... would you be bothered watching other teams play eachother live if you had the option?  (for example Barca V Ajax tonight)

[Saul Goodman]

Barca - Ajax game is actually 5.30pm.

Will be streamed on the nextgen site - http://www.nextgenseries.com/en/Tournament-news/Comments-and-Features/2012/Barcelona-vs-Ajax-Live

[MBL?]

Could anyone tell me how many of Liverpool's next gen games we're live on LFCTV?

Another question... would you be bothered watching other teams play eachother live if you had the option?  (for example Barca V Ajax tonight)

They were all live other than Wolfsburg away. Tonights match is on the nextgen site I think.

[Fontaine]

They were all live other than Wolfsburg away. Tonights match is on the nextgen site I think.

OK sound so they stream them all live for free?

[zip]

@AMorgan94
adam morgan
Hahahaha just a abit of banter...


@Robbie9Fowler
robbie fowler
@AMorgan94 no plaster on the nose though

Good lad. Hopefully he can follow in Fowler's footsteps. Haven't had a good local striker for quite some while.

[Juan Loco]

He is clearly above the reserve level in his development though. I'd like to see him feature more in the first team. He looked good against Villa when he got his chance. Do you think we should use him in the remaining next gen games? He should feature in our best U19 squad but that would mean replacing one of the lads who have played more regularly in the tournament.

I'd like to see more of him in the first team as well, but personally, I'd use him in the next gen semi (and final if we got there). We don't have the best academy in Europe, I think that much is clear having watched the tournament thusfar. The next game or two might show us that we have one or two of the very best prospects in Europe, but I think Sporting showed us we don't have the best academy in Europe. The quality of their lesser players, and the way they played their game, it was obviously second nature to them, as I imagine we'll see it is with either Ajax or Barcelona.

But, having accepted we don't have the best academy in Europe whether we win the tournament or get hammered in the semi final, I think it'd be nicer to win it. With that in mind, I'd use Flanagan, Robinson and Shelvey all in the semi (and final if we got there). It should be remembered that Flanagan and Robinson were actually part of this group anyways.

[Midget]

I'd like to see more of him in the first team as well, but personally, I'd use him in the next gen semi (and final if we got there). We don't have the best academy in Europe, I think that much is clear having watched the tournament thusfar. The next game or two might show us that we have one or two of the very best prospects in Europe, but I think Sporting showed us we don't have the best academy in Europe. The quality of their lesser players, and the way they played their game, it was obviously second nature to them, as I imagine we'll see it is with either Ajax or Barcelona.

But, having accepted we don't have the best academy in Europe whether we win the tournament or get hammered in the semi final, I think it'd be nicer to win it. With that in mind, I'd use Flanagan, Robinson and Shelvey all in the semi (and final if we got there). It should be remembered that Flanagan and Robinson were actually part of this group anyways.

Shelvey also played in the first Sporting game and didn't look as special as he has done at the reserve level. The best next gen teams (like Sporting, Ajax and Barca) are of a high quality, probably higher than the reserve level. It will be very beneficial for all of our lads, Shelvey included, to get a taste of playing against the best in their age group. The more our lads get to play these games the better it is for their development. Who would you replace Shelvey with then? The obvious answer is probably Roddan but in my mind Shelvey is more of an attacking midfielder. We're pretty well-stocked there with Suso and Adorjan.